PRICE GUIDE · ELECTRICAL · 2026–2027
Generator Installation cost in the UK
£1,000–£15,000 per install. Typically £3,500.
Home backup generator installations in the UK cost £1,000–£15,000, with about £3,500 typical for a portable generator wired in through a changeover switch. A permanent standby generator that starts automatically, with its own base and fuel supply, costs far more.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does generator installation cost in the UK?
| Low end | £1,000 | a portable generator with a changeover switch |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £3,500 | what most people pay |
| High end | £15,000 | a whole-house automatic standby generator |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the electricians and electrical firms near you.
What moves the price
- Portable or standby — a portable generator with a changeover switch costs far less than a fixed standby unit
- Generator size — powering the whole house needs a bigger, dearer generator than a few circuits
- Automatic switching — an automatic transfer switch adds cost but restores power in seconds
- Fuel — petrol, diesel, LPG and mains gas units differ in price and installation
- Base and siting — a concrete base, enclosure and safe exhaust position add to the work
- Electrical changes — the consumer unit may need altering to separate the key circuits the generator will run
Electrical work prices in the UK are up 6% over five years (ONS Consumer Price Inflation, Services for maintenance and repair, to 2026 August). Five years ago a typical generator installation would have cost about £1700 — an estimate from today's guide price and that index, not a recorded price. Source: ONS MM23 D7DO →
WHAT YOU GET
What a generator installation booking includes
Takes: One day for a portable inlet, several days for a standby generator. Not included: The generator itself on some quotes, groundworks for a base, fuel tanks and servicing contracts are often priced separately — see the related guides below.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common generator installation jobs
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Generator Installation near you, with prices shown
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How to pay less
- Back up only the key circuits rather than sizing the generator for the whole house
- Choose a manual changeover switch if a short delay during power cuts is acceptable
- Choose a portable generator wired in through an inlet and changeover switch rather than a permanent standby generator
Before you book
- A generator should never be plugged into a socket, so ask about fitting a proper changeover switch for safety
- Generator wiring is electrical work that should be certified by a registered electrician
- Site the generator outdoors, well away from doors and windows, because of exhaust fumes
- Fit carbon monoxide alarms in the home if a generator runs nearby
Generator Installation cost: questions people ask
£1,000–£15,000 per install, about £3,500 typical. A portable generator with a changeover switch costs least; a whole-house automatic standby generator costs the most.
About a day for a portable generator inlet and several days for a fixed standby generator with a base.
No. Back-feeding through a socket is dangerous to you and to network engineers. A changeover switch must be fitted.
A portable generator suits occasional cuts. A standby generator starts itself and suits rural homes with frequent outages or medical needs.
Bases, fuel tanks, enclosures and servicing are often extra. Ask whether the generator unit is included.
They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, read from a published UK home generator installation guide — a national range, not a quote. Generator type and size decide your price.
MORE GUIDES